A basic understanding of tide rips is extremely important in the Mid Atlantic region. Tide rips not only contain fish, but also provide anglers with visual clues about bottom structure, currents, and other information.
How Tide Rips Form
Tide rips occur when tidal currents are forced to the surface due to underwater structure, opposing currents, or other obstructions. When wind and tide oppose each other, wave actions within tide rips can increase greatly.
An example of a shoreline tide rip can be seen in this tide rip diagram.